Preliminaries and Preparations

Proper preparation of your quilt top and quilt back is essential to a good result, so please read the following tips carefully. Any preparations that you choose to have me do here (e.g. seaming backing, pressing seams, etc.) will be billed at $20/hr.

General

• The three layers of your quilt will be loaded on the machine independently of one another. Please do not pin or baste them together.
• The batting and backing should measure at least eight inches longer and eight inches wider than your quilt top. For example, if your quilt measures 60" x 80", the batting and backing should measure at least 68" x 88".

Quilt Top

• Press seams well. Be sure the top lies flat. Ripples and "puffy" places will not necessarily quilt flat.
• The top should be free of embellishments such as buttons and beads.
• Clip all loose threads and be sure the seams have been pressed.
• A row of stay stitching, applied ¼ inch or less from the edge of the quilt, will prevent stretching.
• If your quilt has a definite "head," and you think I might not recognize it, please apply a piece of masking tape to identify it.

Batting

• If you send batting, please check the package to be sure it is suitable for machine quilting. I do not stock a large batting inventory, but offer some of my favorites if you would like to purchase batting from me. It is priced at $7.20 per yard (or 20 cents per linear inch). Check with me to see what's available.

Backing

• Please trim off the selvage edges before seaming your backing. Sides should be straight, and the backing squared. Bed sheets are not suitable.

Binding

• Please send one yard of fabric if you would like me to cut and apply binding. I will cut 2½ inch straight grain binding, apply by machine to the front, turn, and hand stitch on the back. Corners will be lapped.